Alabama Could Be A Vulnerable Favorite Against Texas A&M

Texas A&M sits as the last major regular-season obstacle for No. 1 Alabama as it marches towards a potential second consecutive BCS title game. The two programs meet for the first time since 1988 on at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.

Alabama, which is coming off an emotional 21-17 win at LSU last Saturday, are listed as 13.5-point favorites over the dangerous Aggies in this week’s college football odds. Texas A&M brings in a record of 7-2, which looks especially good when you consider its two losses this year were to Florida and LSU by a combined eight points. Additionally, Texas A&M is a perfect 5-0 on the road this season.

Head coach Nick Saban’s first priority this week has been getting his players past the LSU win and focused on the Aggies. That’s been a point of strength for Alabama during the Saban era and it is paramount the Crimson Tide continue that this week with a quality-team like the Aggies itching for the upset.

Texas A&M features one of the league’s most potent offenses led by quarterback Johnny Manziel. The freshman signal-caller is at the controls of a fast-paced attack that is averaging more than 450 yards of total offense and 44.7 points a game, which ranks 10th in the nation. Manziel had perhaps his best game of the season in the Aggies 38-13 dismantling of then- No. 15 Mississippi St. last week. He went 30 of 36 for 311 yards through the air and ran for an additional 129 and two touchdowns.

In Alabama, the Aggies hook a top-flight defense that is coming off perhaps its worse performance of the season against LSU. The Tigers rolled up 475 yards of offense against the Tide last week, which is the most an Alabama team has given up since Saban’s first season in 2007. With that said, Alabama still leads the nation in points allowed at just 9.1 points a game.

This is easily the marquee matchup in college football this week. Texas A&M gives the appearance of being the real deal and the Crimson Tide could have its hands full this week. Look for the Aggies to keep this one within the 13.5-point line.